Sport: Samoan lifters expecting big competition

Samoa is expecting competition on all fronts at the Pacific Games in Port Moresby.

Samoa chef de mission Fa'afouina Milford. Photo: Vinnie Wylie

The first events began on Friday with Samoan athletes competing in touch rugby, basketball and table tennis.

Tomorrow the weightlifting gets underway at the Sir John Guise Indoor Stadium.

Samoan lifters won four gold medals at the 2011 Games in New Caledonia and two silvers and a bronze at last year's Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.

Chef de Mission Faafouina Milford believes Samoa have another very strong team but says the quality of lifters throughout the Pacific means nothing can be taken for granted.

"Well that's the idea but I know that we can not say that we will get all the medals but we believe that other countries are training hard as well, but we hope so. We bring in the teams which we believe they are well equipped, up to the standard to get medals."

Faafouina Milford says the Games are also a valuable chance for a number of athletes to confirm a spot at next years Rio Olympics.